Does Phoenix Need a Trade?
December 8, 2009
Paul Peszko wrote an article today on if the Phoenix Suns need to make a trade following their two blowout losses against the Los Angeles Lakers. It’s a pretty interesting read even if you are only interested in handicapping games since he does a good job of breaking down the matchup between the two teams. Here are some of the details but if you want more head over to read all of what he has to say.
The first time the Suns came into the Staples Center nearly a month ago, they were sporting a four-game winning streak and had a chance to tie the best 10-game start in franchise history (9-1). The Suns were averaging 112 points, the best in the NBA, with a shooting percentage over 50 percent. Plus, they were playing a Laker team that wouldn’t have Pau Gasol. Too bad that when the game was over, Phoenix had suffered a 121-102 defeat and a season-low shooting percentage of 36.5.
A lot of people pointed to their schedule for the reason of their defeat: “We were a tired team,” said Steve Nash. “We came out really flat. We missed a lot of easy shots that we normally knock down. It’s been a tough stretch for us and I’m glad it’s over.”
So Phoenix got another try on Sunday night, but this time Gasol was on the court for the Lakers, and the result was even worse, 108-88, the lowest point total for the Suns this season. This was a demoralizing blow out by the division leader, a team they are now three games back to in the loss column.
Suns head coach Alvin Gentry sounded concerned, “they’re just so long,” Gentry said. “They’re a long team and they bottle up everything you to do.” The problem for Phoenix is that the Lakers are so versatile. They can kill you in different ways by playing big or small.
In the Suns’ first loss to the Lakers, even without Gasol, Los Angeles put up 78 points in the paint. So on Sunday night, Gentry double-teamed Gasol and Andrew Bynum, holding the Lakers to only 40 points in the paint. But the Lakers piled up points from the perimeter, hitting 10-of-21 from behind the arc.
The Lakers defense stifled the Suns all night long. They picked the Suns’ pocket eight times, five by Ron Artest. When guards Jordan Farmar and Shannon Brown are on the floor, the Lakers have too much speed and quickness for the much older Suns to handle.
So, the Suns have to know that they cannot win the Pacific Division and if they meet the Lakers in the postseason, there is no way Phoenix can win in a seven-game series. That leaves them with two choices: Either play out the season with the team they have and try to improve next year, or make a trade. If they are at all serious about making a run at the Lakers this season, then they need to get on the phone and see who might be available.
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